PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov DA 08-1751 Released: July 28, 2008 RURAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS’ QUARTERLY REPORTS DUE JULY 30, 2008 On November 16, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order,1 which selected 69 applicants to participate in the rural health care pilot program (Pilot Program), established by the Commission on September 26, 2006.2 Pursuant to the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order, Pilot Program participants must submit quarterly reports to the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) and the Commission.3 The first of these quarterly reports is due on July 30, 2008, and shall contain responsive data from the effective date of the order, December 17, 2007, to June 30, 2008.4 Subsequent reports are due on October 30 (including responsive data for the prior July to September), January 30 (including responsive data for the prior October to December), April 30 (including responsive data for the prior January to March), and July 30 (including responsive data for the prior April to June).5 Pilot Program participants are required to file these quarterly reports for a 72-month period commencing July 30, 2008.6 The quarterly reports must contain the data listed in Appendix D of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order.7 These reports will assist the Commission in evaluating the success of the program, including understanding whether support is being used in a manner consistent with section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the Commission’s rules and orders.8 Collection of 1 Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, WC Docket No. 02-60, Order, 22 FCC Rcd 20360 (2007) (Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order). 2 Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, WC Docket No. 02-60, Order, 21 FCC Rcd 11111 (2006) (2006 Pilot Program Order). 3 Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 20423-24, para. 126. 4 Id. at 20423-23, paras. 126-27. 5 Id. at 20424, para. 127. 6 Id. 7 Id. at 20423-24, para. 126. 8 Id.; 47 U.S.C. § 254. 2 this data is critical to the goal of preventing waste, fraud, and abuse by ensuring that funding is flowing to its intended purpose.9 As stated in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order, participants that do not provide the data may be eliminated from participating in the Pilot Program; may lose or receive reduced support; or may be required to return prior distributions.10 Instructions for Filing Quarterly Reports with the Commission Quarterly reports should reference the FCC docket number for the Pilot Program (WC Docket No. 02-60) only, and may be filed using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS); or (2) by filing paper copies. · Electronic Filers: Quarterly reports may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Filers should follow the same instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. In completing the transmittal screen, ECFS filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Filers may also submit an electronic copy by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send and e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in response. · Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each application. Quarterly reports can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. · Hand-delivered or messenger delivered quarterly reports: The Commission’s contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554. Courtesy Copies: Filers must also send a courtesy copy of their quarterly reports to: Antoinette Stevens, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5B-521, Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: antoinette.stevens@fcc.gov. Confidential Treatment The Commission’s rules permit any person submitting information to the Commission to request that such information be withheld from public inspection (i.e., afforded confidential treatment). Pilot Program participants interested in requesting confidential treatment of their quarterly reports are required to comply with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules, which describes the information that must be 9 Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 20423-24, para. 126. 10 Id. at 20424, para. 128. 3 included in a request for confidential treatment, as well as filing procedures for those seeking confidential treatment.11 People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty). For further information, please contact Jennifer Prime, Wireline Competition Bureau, Jennifer.Prime@fcc.gov, (202) 418-7400. -FCC- 11 See 47 C.F.R. § 0.459.